By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Westborough – Although nearly everyone says they believe in the importance of “giving back,” David Kaiser is one who lives that creed, both in his work life and as a community volunteer. As the branch manager of Central One Federal Credit Union in Westborough, he enjoys sharing the bank's philosophy of focusing on service for its members. And as the president of the Rotary Club of Westborough, he gets to make a difference, he said, in the lives of local residents as well.
Kaiser, who grew up in Connecticut, resided in Westborough for several years and now lives in Northborough with his wife Linda. (His son Jeffrey still lives in Westborough.) He is a graduate of Bryant College, where he received his degree in business administration, and of Babson College, where he received his MBA. Throughout his career his has worked in a number of positions in finance but it is at Central One that he most feels at home, he said.
“Credit unions are nonprofit organizations that return monies back to the credit union – no one is siphoning off profits,” he said. “Our philosophy is to offer the highest quality products and services possible to our customers. We believe in this so much, we actually do surveys every month to measure how we are doing. In 14 years, we have never ranked under 95 percent satisfaction.”
Central One also believes in educating young people about financial issues, Kaiser said. The bank has opened branches at both Shrewsbury and Westborough high schools. Kaiser has participated in financial literacy classes at the schools as well.
“It's a way to help educate them so they will become more financially aware,” he said. “We cover things like savings versus checking accounts, borrowing, credit scores, and budgets.”
Over the past few years, the Rotary Club of Westborough has become an important part of his life as well, he said. The nonprofit club's motto of “service above self” really resonates with him, he noted.
“There are many networking groups and Rotary is a nice way to meet others,” he said. “But that's not the main focus. Rotarians are really focused on how can we as professionals use our vocational talents to give back?”
“We are not a religious group but a civic-minded group,” he added.
As the world's largest service organization, Rotary has helped to virtually eradicate polio across the globe. The Westborough Rotary has helped to raise $500,000 over the past 20 years to help international causes. In the last year, it has given nearly $30,000 back to the local community, including eight $1,000 scholarships last year.
The Westborough club was started in 1969; one of its founding members and its first president, Nelson Ball, is still active. The club currently has 52 members from a variety of professions.
The club's main fundraiser each year is the Spring Festival, a three-day event filled with a variety of activities including a vendor fair, a dining pavilion, Rotary Grill, 5K road race, classic car show, music and? pet events, and raffle baskets.
“Although it's an important fundraiser, it's also a service project that helps bring the community together,” Kaiser said. “We have really tried to make it a true event that everyone looks forward to.”
This year's festival will be held Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4. For more information, visit http://www.westboroughrotary.org/spring-festival.
The Rotary has also partnered with Sun Multisport Events for the past four years to host the Westborough Sprint Triathlon. The event features a swim in Lake Chauncy, a bike route through Westborough and Northborough, and a sprint portion back in Westborough.
Part of the profits from the event over the past two years has gone to the American Diabetes Association with other monies benefitting local community programs.
To become a Rotarian you must be sponsored by a current member, Kaiser said. For more information, visit www. http://www.westboroughrotary.org.